San Jose’s 4-3 collapse against LAFC raised pressing questions about the team’s defense, mental strength, and coaching style:
Defense needs makeover
The Quakes have the worst defensive record in MLS and it’s not hard to see why. With two starters from USL Affiliates Reno 1868, Jimmy Ockford and Kevin Partida, San Jose’s back-line simply doesn’t have the depth to compete for an MLS playoff spot and is in dire need of reinforcements in the summer transfer window.
Partida, who was called up from Reno to replace the injured Shea Salinas, was overrun by LAFC winger Diego Rossi and gifted LAFC their first goal with a poorly-timed clearance. The full-back was also sent off late in stoppage time, setting the stage for LAFC’s last-minute winner.
Ockford, who has established himself as the team’s starting center-back by process of elimination, also made a blunder to hand LAFC their second goal of the night. Goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell claimed blame for LAFC’s first and third goals, whiffing multiple crosses. Center-back Yeferson Quintana didn’t make many glaring errors on this occasion but has yet to make a strong case for an extension of his one-year loan from Uruguayan club Peñarol.
San Jose were certainly hindered by the World Cup absence of center-back Harold Cummings, but neither has he been fully convincing this season, and Guram Kashia’s reported arrival from the Dutch Eredivisie promises some overdue relief.
Stahre still in touch with floundering team?
Worryingly, San Jose’s defensive woes appeared to escaped Stahre. Speaking to reporters after the match, the Swedish coach said: “Actually, if you look at the game today, I can’t say that our defense was the biggest problem. In one part of the first half, I think we played too slow and gave them the chance to press us higher up. Every time we played the ball backwards we gave them the trigger to press us, so we adjusted a little bit in the second half and played more forward. At the end of the game, it’s two set plays. We used to be really solid at that. I must say that all of us in this club are super disappointed now, but I can’t be disappointed with the guys tonight.”
Stahre’s optimism is increasingly out of touch with San Jose’s fan base and, arguably, the locker-room, as his post-match comments clashed with those of captain Wondolowski. Said the forward: “[Effort] means a lot, and I do appreciate it, but we’re coming to the part of the season where silver linings don’t really count for much. It’s time to pick up points. We do have to do the right things. I can say that the effort was there, it hasn’t been there in games past, so that’s something to build on. But if we’re looking for things to build on, that’s not a good thing.”
Forward Danny Hoesen concurred. “It’s painful. It’s unbelievable. I don’t think we played anywhere near good football or anything,” said the Dutchman.
“We had a clear plan to press them high but they have very good midfield players and they could combine easily around it. The pressure starts up front with the forwards and if that doesn’t work out then the midfield gets in trouble and the defense gets in trouble. As a total team performance, defensively it was not good enough.”
The locker room is still unified for the moment, but it’s unclear how much more the team can take. “To a man, we still have belief,” said Wondolowski. “I think that the effort was there today, once that’s gone on a consistent basis, that’s when the finger-pointing goes on.”
For the first time, Stahre was forced to address his job security after the defeat. He had clearly braced for the question. “In this job, when you’re losing games there’s always a question,” he said. “I work hard every day together with my coaching staff, obviously we’re not doing well…but I think I’m the right man to get my staff to turn this ship.”
Quakes lacking drive
In years past, San Jose have counted grit and resolve among their greatest assets, but those traits only went as far as Wondolowski on Saturday night. The captain spearheaded a courageous turnaround early in the second half but San Jose capitulated after he was forced off by illness, which raised questions about the squad’s mental strength and ability to see out a win.
“Maybe complacency, maybe [we don’t have] that drive,” Wondolowski suggested.
